Allium plurifoliatum facts for kids

Allium plurifoliatum is a fascinating type of wild onion that grows in China. It's a plant that belongs to the same family as the onions and garlic we eat!

Where It Grows

This wild onion has been found in several parts of China. You can find it in provinces like Anhui, Gansu, Hubei, Shaanxi, and Sichuan. It prefers to grow in high places, usually at elevations between 1,600 and 3,300 meters (about 5,200 to 10,800 feet) above sea level. That's pretty high up!

What It Looks Like

Allium plurifoliatum has some unique features:

• Bulbs: It grows from a cluster of narrow bulbs. Each bulb is quite small, usually less than 10 millimeters (about 0.4 inches) across.
• Stem: The plant has a main stem, called a scape, which can grow up to 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) tall.
• Leaves: Its leaves are flat and thin. They are usually about the same length as the stem.
• Flowers: At the top of the stem, you'll find a small cluster of flowers. This cluster is called an Umbel. The flowers are typically red or purple.

Different Types (Varieties)

Just like there are different types of apples, there can be slightly different versions of the same plant species. These are called varieties. Allium plurifoliatum has two main varieties:

Allium plurifoliatum var. plurifoliatum

This is the most common variety. Inside its flowers, it has special parts called filaments. For this variety, the inner filaments are wider at their base and have a pair of tiny teeth.

Allium plurifoliatum var. zhegushanense

This variety is a bit different. Its filaments gradually get narrower towards the top, without any teeth. This specific variety is only known to grow in the Sichuan province of China.

Changing Names in Science

Sometimes, scientists learn new things about plants and decide to change their names or how they are grouped. For example, there was once a plant called Allium plurifoliatum var. stenodon. However, after more study, scientists realized it was actually a variety of a different plant. It is now known as Allium thunbergii var. thunbergii. This shows how science is always learning and updating!